Kansas prepares for wildfires before season starts - WIBW

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The state is getting a head start in snuffing out spring wildfires well before the season gets underway.

Friday morning, Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation declaring next week as Wildfire Awareness Week. Several state agencies were on hand to show their support, including the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office, Kansas Forest Services and National Weather Service.

Experts say one of the best ways to prevent wildfires is to plan ahead when doing controlled burns.

"Not just look at today's forecast but look at the forecast for day's out," said Mark Neely, a State Fire Management Officer. "So you could do a really good prescribed burn today but the weather could be 40, 50 mile per hour winds tomorrow and then that's where we start getting some of those wildfires."

Neely says a change in the climate has created longer fire seasons, with windier, dryer and sometimes warmer conditions.

Let's block ads! (Why?)